Breaking the silence HRI on resumption in Ireland Andrew Nelis

Horse Racing Ireland has broken its silence on a possible date for the resumption of racing in Ireland with chief executive Brian Kavanagh insisting "constructive engagement" had taken place with government in the past week.

Kavanagh has been unavailable for comment since Taoiseach Leo Varadkar addressed the nation last Friday evening.

However, in a statement issued late on Thursday evening, the HRI boss provided cautious optimism that racing may resume earlier than June 29, which has previously been outlined for behind-closed-doors sporting events in the roadmap for reopening society and business.

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There has been continuous dialogue between HRI and the government since last week's announcement.

Earlier on Thursday, Varadkar stated in the Dail that the government would examine proposals from sectors of the economy wishing to have restrictions lifted earlier than scheduled in the government’s roadmap.

HRI are availing of this offer and have put forward proposals for racing to resume earlier than June 29.

Kavanagh said: "Horse Racing Ireland and the Irish racing community are fully supportive of the government and the chief medical officer for the way in which they have handled this unprecedented public health emergency."

He added: "Through the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine there has been constructive engagement with various government departments this week on the basis that racing will only resume behind closed doors when it is deemed safe and appropriate.

"Prior to March 24, race fixtures were among the last group of Tier 2 commercial activities to continue with ten fixtures staged safely behind closed doors with only key personnel permitted on site.

"Horse Racing Ireland's Covid-19 protocols which were in place for those fixtures have been further strengthened in the meantime and we feel that the industry can safely resume sooner rather than later and will continue to engage with government on that basis."

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